The following information was provided by the Medford Township Police Department.
On Aug. 18 at 10:06 a.m., Medford Police received a report of a male stealing wire from the utility poles along Taunton Road. Police located the man, a 29-year-old from Mt. Holly, in the area of Taunton and White Pine Drive. He was found to be in possession of cut strips of copper wire from utility poles in the area.
He was subsequently placed under arrest for theft, criminal mischief and risking widespread injury or damage. The wires that he removed were grounding wires that provide a level of safety to homes and utility workers in the event of a lightning strike or electrical short circuit. The value of the wire and the necessary repairs was estimated at $4800 by PSE&G.
